The Magi: Memories

Part 7

Face-off

(Spike walks into a poorly lit room. Everything is lavishly furnished. Bruce and Gabriella are bandaged and sitting at a large table. Kain is dressing Nanesse’s wounds)

Kain: Stop fidgeting.

Nanesse: (scratching bandage on arm) But it itches.

Kain: Better to be itching than dead.

Gabriella: Don’t worry, it goes away if you keep your mind off it.

Bruce: Like hell it does. (scratches)

Gabriella: Quiet you. (smacks him) What are you complaining about anyway?

Bruce: Are you kidding? I was nearly killed!

Gabriella: By puppets? You got off easy. I was attacked by insane demon twins.

Bruce: I told you, he had a dragon.

Gabriella: Oooo… A big scary wooden dragon. Didn’t it occur to you to light it on fire?

Bruce: (pauses) Excuse me for not being a genius like-

Spike: Shut up! Why are you sitting around here?

Kain: Fixing Nanesse’s leg.

Nanesse: And waiting for you. (sticks out tongue)

Gabriella: You’re part of this group, whether you like it or not. We wouldn’t leave you behind.

Bruce: (under his breath) That and there’s no exit.

Gabriella: I believe I told you to shush.

(Spike sits down and picks up some bandages)

Gabriella: let me help you with that.

Spike: No, I can do it.

Kain: (takes a weed out of his pouch) Here, use this.

Spike: I’d rather not.

Kain: That cut is pretty deep. If you don’t use this, it will most likely get infected, and you’re no use to us damaged.

Spike: Fine… (takes it from him)

Nanesse: That was a little rude.

Kain: It was for his own good. I said stop moving!

Spike: Kain.

Kain: Just put it directly on the wound and-

Spike: No, I have a question.

Kain: Oh. What is it?

Spike: You’re not bandaged.

Kain: That’s not a question.

Spike: What I’m trying to say is, why aren’t you injured?

Kain: It’s hard to get hurt sitting around waiting for everybody.

Spike: So while we were fighting for our lives-

Kain: I’m kind of busy right now, can we talk about this later. (looks to Nanesse) I’m going to tell you one last time. Sit still. (pulls the bandage tight)

(Nanesse yelps. Slow organ music begins to play. Party looks around. Kain moves Nanesse off his lap, stands up and draws his swords. Torches begin to light all around the room. The music gets faster as torches light up to the area around Azriel playing the organ. Bruce and Spike begin to stand up, but their injuries won’t allow it)

Azriel: Please, don’t get up. You’ve had quite the day. (stands up and walks over to them, looks at Kain’s swords) Oh, put those away, I have no intention of harming you.

Kain: Could have fooled me. You haven’t been the best host so far.

Azriel: It was necessary, I’m afraid. Besides, if-

Kain: If you had wanted to kill us, you would have done so already?

Azriel: Hmmm… something like that. And why would I try and harm my old friend. We’ve been through so much together.

Kain: You don’t say.

Azriel: You’re a difficult man to track.

(Azriel walks up to a wall covered in runes. He waves his hand over them. The runes light up and make a “movie” of Azriel searching)

Azriel: After having been separated, I scoured Terra in search of you. From Jad to Helm, and on to Forcena, but no sign of you. However, I did find some rather interesting young individuals.

(the ‘screen’ splits into three, showing clips of Spike/Bruce/Gab doing stuff)

Azriel: They showed great potential, though finding you was my first priority.

Kain: But why the determination? Why me?

Azriel: To finish what we started of course.

Kain: And that was?

Azriel: The uniting of all races on Terra, with the exception of Demons. (seemingly under his breath) Vile creatures… They deserve only destruction…

Gabriella: Oh? What about those insane little girls? If they needed to be destroyed, why were they following your orders?

Azriel: Calm down, all will be revealed in due time.

Kain: I’m just one man, wouldn’t you need an army?

Azriel: There was something you said a long time that has stuck with me all these years. <says something in another language> (turns to Humans) It means, “Neither life nor death is important. All that matters is the completion of the task.

Kain: How could I say something in a language I don’t speak?

Azriel: I can see this is going to be annoying. I also had to deal with memory loss. Luckily I ran into a bit of good luck.

(flashback of Azriel hunting through the temple, he does a voiceover)

Azriel: A few of my companions and I were hired by the Sephoras locals to excavate their temple. Years of neglect had left it a sad excuse for a place of worship. I can’t say that the people regretted their sacrilege, but that was beside the point. I was sent to return their ‘holy treasures’ not to judge their negligence. Among the artifacts, I found something that didn’t seem to fit. On its pedestal were writings that I could not decipher, but when I touched it they all became clear to me. It said simply “Revelation.” I was then engulfed in the past, and I knew what I had to do.

(actions for the above speech are as follows: Azriel and some other men walk around the ruined temple. Then they go inside the temple. They wander around in there until they come upon the “treasures.” After Azriel picks up Revevation, he looks at it for a moment, then down at the writings. They start to swirl into English. Then light engulfs him as memories swirl around. The last one he sees is Kain holding a sword and breathing heavily. Flash back to present)

Kain: That’s quite the story. How do I know it’s true?

Azriel: Because I brought a piece with me. (Holds up a piece of Revelation) This should be enough to, shall we say, break our language barrier.

(Azriel hands it to Kain, who examines it. Nanesse is sitting next to him with her arms around his waste)

Azriel: (looks to humans) Oh, you might want to guard your eyes.

(Azriel, hand glowing, touches the piece. A bright flash hits Kain/Nanesse)

Azriel: (in other language, with subtitles) How does it feel to embrace the past?

Kain: (same as Azriel) This is it?

Nanesse: (same) How does this help us find the others?

Kain: I don’t think it does.

Azriel: I don’t think you- (cut off by Gabriella)

Gabriella: As much as I love partaking in other cultures, I can’t help but wonder why I’m slowly bleeding inside a mountain.

Azriel: (English) You’re quite the impetuous one, aren’t you?

Gabriella: Funny, that’s what Michelle used to say, but you wouldn’t know anything about her, would you?

Azriel: I take it you found out?

Bruce: Found out what?

Azriel: I believe this young lady has discovered my purpose.

Gabriella: I think I might have.

Azriel: Why don’t you share it with the others?

Gabriella: Where to begin… At first glance, it looks like we were all assembled randomly. A mage, and elf, a knight, myself, and… (looks to Spike) miscellaneous. However, there is a connection. We are all plagued by our pasts. Some of us search for it, while others run from it. But it seems to me that this man has given us all a chance to find what we’ve been looking for. I now know that my sister is still alive. Bruce finally faced his greatest fear. Nanesse managed to stand up to someone who obviously bullied her since childhood. Now he’s giving Kain a chance to regain the past he’s lost. (looks to Spike again) But I just can’t seem to figure out what he’s done for you.

(They all look to Spike, and at his bandages. Spike doesn’t look happy. Kain and Spike lock eyes)

Kain: I know.

Spike: Don’t you dare judge me.

Kain: That’s not my job.

Gabriella: (looks to Azriel) Am I right?

Azriel: (claps lightly) Impetuous but astute.

Kain: Ok, now we know what you’re doing; now I’d like to ask why.

Azriel: When building a better world, there will always be objectors. That is why I need powerful allies. How can I fail with the Jad Royal Army at my back? How can the Demons unify when I have the feared hunter at my side? Who will be able to defeat me when I have the strongest warriors in the land? There is nothing on Terra that can stand against our progress.

Spike: I’m nobody’s bodyguard.

Gabriella: Finding my sister is all that matters.

Nanesse: (tugs at Kain’s clothes) I wanna find the others!

Kain: So do I.

Bruce: How much does it pay? (Gab hits him) Ow! I mean, my duty is to my country? (she nods)

Azriel: (frowning) So you refuse…?

Kain: We all seem to have separate agendas.

Azriel: (twitches) After all I’ve done?

Kain: You tied up an entire town of innocent people, and tried to kill all of us. I think you’ve done too much.

Azriel: How dare you push me aside!

Kain: (stands up) How dare you bring us here against our will and expect us to leave our lives to follow you? We are not your toys!

Azriel: I will not be rejected by a lowly soldier! You will not do this to me again!

Kain: I just did.

(Azriel takes something off a table and throws it against a “wall”)

Azriel: I WILL NOT BE DENIED!!!!!!

(the thing hits the wall and goes through. The wall ripples and they all fade. They’re now on the top of the mountain. Kain stands up. The rest of the group starts to stand up, but Kain gets in front of them)

Kain: No. Everyone take cover.

Nanesse: Kain…

Kain: Bruce, keep Nanesse back.

Bruce: (nods) Right.

Nanesse: He’s-

Kain: This is my fight.

Nanesse: But I-

Kain: (turns to her) I don’t want your help! Take this and go (hands her his staff).

Nanesse: I can’t let you do-

Kain: Go!

(Nanesse looks sad for a second, then smiles and nods. The party runs for cover. They sit behind a rock. Kain draws his swords.)

Azriel: Do you really think you can defeat me again without your friends? It’s been so long; I don’t think you’re up to it.

Kain: I’m more than a match for scum like you.

(They rush at each other and start fighting. Steel is flying. They go at each other for a minute)

Kain: I don’t know why I let you live before, but I won’t make the same mistake again.

Azriel: You’re a fool and a coward.

(More fighting. Clash clash, bang, clash. Kain and Azriel lock up for a moment. Azriel runs up Kain’s chest and does a back flip off his head)

Azriel: Are you ready to serve me?

(Kain runs his hand past the fire runes on his sword as they light up. When his hand reaches the end, he has a good sized fireball in his hand)

Kain: Like hell I am.

(Kain shoots it at Azriel. Azriel holds up his hand. <you know that thing when something is really hot and things start to look distorted? Well that happens when the fireball gets to Azriel> It stops about 6 inches from his hand. From inside out the fire changes from yellow/orange to dark blue/black. He then shoots it back at Kain who dives out of the way. Azriel runs up to kill Kain. He jumps in the air, weapons held high. On his descent he is suddenly blown back against a wall. He looks up to see Nanesse standing on the rock, her palms out. She suddenly looks scared as Azriel gets really angry)

Azriel: Don’t interfere! (forms a magic spike)

Kain: Get down!

(Nanesse freezes. Azriel shoots the spike. Spike dives and knocks Nanesse out of the way. The spike barely misses him as they both hit the ground and roll. Kain and Azriel go back to fighting in the background)

Spike: Are you crazy? You could have been killed.

Nanesse: (cries and hugs him) Thank you.

Spike: (yelps in pain) I think I broke a rib…

Gabriella: Just now?

Spike: No, when I fought Kain yesterday.

Nanesse: (pulls out the bandages again) Let me see.

(back to the fight. They clash a couple more times and lock up again)

Kain: that is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

Azriel: No, I’d say the biggest was letting you two remember each other. (smiles)

Kain: What? (realizes it) You bastard!

(Kain and Azriel go back to fighting. They move across the area and eventually get to the edge.)

Azriel: You know, I don’t necessarily need you intact.

(Kain looks over the ledge)

Azriel: You can serve me with or without a gaping chest wound. It’s your choice.

Kain: Don’t be so arrogant. (jumps backwards over the edge)

Azriel: (eyes wide) NO! My vessel!

(Camera goes back behind/above the rock the party is hiding. Azriel runs up to the ledge to look over)

Nanesse: Kain! (scrambles up the rock)

Bruce: Are you crazy? (pulls her back)

(thunder crackles. The sound surprises Nanesse and knocks her off the rock. A lightning bolt hits Azriel in the chest and knocks him back 30 feet and into something. Kain wall kicks himself back up to the fighting area. He makes a scissor motion with his swords. An electric charge runs along the blades and dissipates at the end. Azriel is fine other than the huge hole in his shirt. His chest is smoking)

Kain: (activates the water runes on his swords) I think you’re on fire! Let me help you with that!

(Kain shoots a blast of water. Azriel stands up. He raises his hands, but not in time. The water plasters him to the wall. The water stops and Azriel is standing, soaking, and completely pissed off)

Kain: Do you need a towel?

Azriel: I won’t be insulted by weakling like you.

Kain: You keep saying that. Stop it.

Azriel: (an aura starts to emanate, as the water evaporates) Do you know what I’ve decided?

Kain: That you fight like a little girl?

Azriel: That Vincent would serve my purpose just as well, and I’d rather kill you now instead of later.

Kain: Oh, you’ve been holding back just for me?

Azriel: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! (pissed off yelling and fighting)

(Azriel is giving the royal beat down to Kain. Seriously, Azriel makes Kain his bitch)

Kain: Ok… Maybe he was going easy on me.

(More beatdown. Kain gets a good sized slash on his chest, then his left arm. Azriel kicks Kain in the chest and sends him sprawling. He looks down at his swords and at all the runes. With some effort he manages to stand up.)

<WARNING! PRECIDENT FOR THIS PART SHALL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE EDIT OF PART 3! BRUCE ASKS HIM WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE ACTIVATES ALL THE RUNES ON HIS SWORD. KAIN HAS NO IDEA. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS. I HOPE YOU ARE NOT CONFUSED. I SHALL FIX THIS WHEN I FINISH THE FULL FIRST DRAFT OF MEMORIES. THANK YOU>

Kain: Oh hell, I’m probably going to die anyway. What’ve I got to lose?

(Kain activates all the runes on the sword. They all light up brightly. A flash causes Azriel to shield his eyes. When the light fades, Kain is holding a bigass broadsword. <in case you didn’t get this, the two swords merged into a big one> Kain looks at it strange)

Kain: That’s it?

(Azriel attacks Kain and they start fighting again. Through the course of the fight, Azriel does a cross block against Kain’s downswing. Electricity bounces off the blade)

Kain: Now the question is: Do I cut you in half, or bury the blade into your stomach?

Azriel: I hate you with a passion.

Kain: Meh.

Azriel: You think a new sword will be enough to save your life?

Kain: Maybe not, but if I’m going to die, then I’m taking one of your limbs with me.

(Couple more hits back and forth. Azriel eventually kicks Kain in the chest wound, knocking him on the ground)

Azriel: I hate it when you waste my time with this. (makes a black energy ball in his hands) Never again.

Kain: (looks up to see Bruce on a ledge above Azriel, sword out) I’m not quite dead yet.

Azriel: No, but that would be better for you.

(The energy ball has gotten pretty damn big now, and Azriel is ready to throw it. All of a SUDDEN Bruce dives at him from behind screaming bloody hell. This catches Azriel off guard. He turns and shoots the blast at Bruce, which sends him flying backwards. The mist from the blast seeps into Bruce’s nose/eyes/ears. He hits the wall. During this Kain got up and charged Azriel, plunging the sword through Azriel’s chest. He crumples. Kain falls over and lies on the ground. Fade to black after Kain closes his eyes. Fade back, Gabriella is kneeling over him)

Gabriella: Are you all right?

Kain: (clearly dazed) Do you have any mantera? I haven’t had any in so long…

Gabriella: What’s that?

Kain: I have no idea… Is he dead?

Gabriella: Azriel? I should hope so, he has sword through his chest.

Kain: No, I mean Bruce.

Gabriella: Oh. Spike is trying to wake him up.

Spike: (slaps Bruce’s face) Wake up.

(Bruce wakes up. First thing in he shows is confusion, then hatred. He looks around then dives for his sword. Spike steps on it and then on his hand)

Spike: I’m already injured Bruce, don’t make me angry.

(Bruce mouths “bruce” and looks down at his hands. Then looks back up to Spike)

Bruce: Did we win?

Kain: (stands up) Yeah, we won. Thanks to you. Wait, where’s Nanesse?

Gabriella: She kept trying to interfere, so we had to tie her up.

Kain: (laughs for a second, but starts to cough) Let’s untie the elf and get out of here. I need a drink.

(Kain’s swords have gone back to normal. He pulls them out of Azriel’s chest and walks towards Nanesse. Bruce stands up and follows the rest of the group)

End Part 7

Kain Wins